C.G.A.’s Financial Woes Continues
At least six staff members of the Citrus Growers Association did not report to work today and say they will not do so until they receive their salaries, which is overdue for at least two months. The C.G.A. is on the brink of bankruptcy; it has for quite some time been unable to provide service to its members because of its financial debt. Creditors have placed markers on several C.G.A. assets in an attempt to recover monies. Government says it will not inject capital in a failing private entity until it gets it house in order and even so the assistance would not necessarily be a capital injection. The government is proposing that the C.G.A. and Belize Citrus Mutual re-unite in order to salvage what is left of the industry. Area Representative for Stann Creek West, Rodwell Ferguson says that the trickling effect of C.G.A.’s financial is being felt by low income families. Ferguson says that the solution is for the citrus industry to expand.
Rodwell Ferguson
Rodwell Ferguson, Area Reps., Stann Creek West
“It is mismanagement to a certain extent but it also as result of quarrels of the big fish.
Hipolito Novelo
“The government said that it would not inject cash in to the CGA until it gets its house in order.”
Rodwell Ferguson
“Well I fully support the government in this juncture that nobody will invest and put money in something that is failing. So once they can get their act together then the injection can go on.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Would you agree also with the Minister of Agriculture that both entities should unite?”
Rodwell Ferguson
“Well that is the key. There must be unity among them for the survival of the citrus industry. So recently no salaries have been paid, no utilities have been paid. Their own people supply stuff for them and they are in dire crisis. And you might ask yourself the question, what is the solution. The only solution to the CGA is to once again expand the production of citrus and the farmers will have to have that real understanding what is the purpose and the role of the CGA and agree to pay back their CES to the CGA. If that does not happen, I can see a citrus growers association totally dead.”
